Spring term classes begin March 31 at Portland State, and there are a good selection of transportation courses available this term. As of March 20, there are still a couple of spots remaining in the Urban Studies Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning course, in which students will work on Better Block PSU community projects. Check out the listings below to see what else is on offer at PSU this Spring.

Not a current PSU student? You can still take a course: Anyone interested can register for classes through the non-degree application process, as a post-baccalaureate student, or for free if you're a senior citizen. Taking a course can be a good way to see if one of our graduate degree programs is right for you. 

Urban Studies and Planning (USP)

USP 548 Public Transportation Planning

USP 565 Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning

Examines the importance of walking and bicycling as means of transportation in a sustainable urban environment. Covers planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of bikeways and walkways, as well as ancillary facilities such as bicycle parking. Focus on the role of education, advocacy, and outreach in improving walking and bicycling conditions. Study relevant examples from various cities, with a heavy emphasis on Portland's experience.

Civil and Environmental Engineering (CE)

Non-degree or non-PSU students should contact the Civil Engineering Academic Program Manager at ceedept@pdx.edu in order to register for a CE course, as the system requires an approval to process the registration.

CE 510 Econometric Modeling

This course focuses on applying advanced models to transportation data. It goes beyond basic statistical models by addressing complex relationships and improving real-world decision-making.

CE 524 Computational Methods of Structural Analysis

Fundamental concepts of analysis for statically determinate and indeterminate structures utilizing matrices and computers; displacement and force methods applied to trusses and rigid frames; techniques for the analysis of large complex structures for static and dynamic loads. This is the first course in a sequence of two: CE 524 and CE 525. 

Friday Transportation Seminars

Fridays, Noon Pacific

Offered as a class for credit in the Fall, the Friday Transportation Seminar series at PSU is not a for-credit class in Winter or Spring terms. However, seminars will be scheduled periodically during the Winter and Spring terms, and students are always encouraged to attend. The seminars are open to the public, and can be watched online from anywhere. You can find upcoming seminars on the TREC website.

Urban Studies and Planning Bachelor + Master (B+M) 

The Toulan School at Portland State University has a new enrollment option called the Urban Studies and Planning Bachelor + Master (B+M) Program. The B+M allows junior- and senior-level students enrolled in the undergraduate Community Urban Studies and Planning (CUSP) program to earn up to twenty hours of college credit that count toward both their CUSP degree and Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degree. For students who want to pursue a career in urban planning, a master’s degree is usually necessary. The B+M provides a cost-effective option that ensures enrollment in a master’s program while still completing an undergrad degree. Learn more about this program.

Graduate Certificate in Transportation

The two disciplines, planning and engineering, also collaborate to offer a Graduate Certificate in Transportation for established professionals looking for a deeper understanding of transportation disciplines. Increasingly, transportation professionals need multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills to anticipate social, environmental, and technological trends and incorporate them into intelligently-integrated transportation systems. The Graduate Certificate in Transportation will offer you advanced education at the intersection of urban planning and civil engineering for those seeking to build upon their knowledge and credentials.

Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) is a multidisciplinary hub for all things transportation. We are home to the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI), the data programs PORTAL and BikePed Portal, the Better Block PSU program, and PSU's membership in PacTrans, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium. Our continuing goal is to produce impactful research and tools for transportation decision makers, expand the diversity and capacity of the workforce, and engage students and professionals through education, seminars, and participation in research. To get updates about what's happening at TREC, sign up for our monthly newsletter or follow us on social media.